Page 20 of Forbidden Wish

“I did.”

“Then why are you talking to me like that? Like you’ll run back to him with whatever I say.”

“I don’t give a shit about Manzani, except he’s dangerous,” he said, resting his elbows on the table to lean closer. “This contact of yours needs to be careful.”

“And I would tell her that if she hadn’t disappeared.” Saying it out loud struck a chord of fear. “Oh, God, you don’t think something happened to her too, do you? That’s how it happens.They disappear, for a couple of days or a couple of weeks, then reappear dead.”

“Cause of death?”

“Never the same.Heather bled out. I don’t know how. Lachlan said I didn’t want to know. Michelle was blunt force trauma. Stephanie, they haven’t released that yet… and Lach hasn’t told me, which suggests it’s something really bad.”

“He just gives you this information?”

On a glare, her head dropped to the side. “I sucked the guy’s cock for three years, Jagg, so, yes, he just gives me the information.”

His semi-shrug was maybe supposed to be an apology. “Figured there were rules about that shit.”

Her smile quickly became a laugh. “And you’re all about following the rules.”

“Wasn’t passing judgment on the guy, just saying, some crims aren’t all bad, and some cops ain’t all good.”

“He’s good,” she said, scooping up her cup. “In all the ways that matter… Lach’s probably the most honorable man I’ve ever known.”

“Not much of a line for that medal, Genny. Your dad and Ford were breaking rules before you were born… And the asshole your mom married…”

“He’s not an asshole. Is that what Ford says?”

“The dude made Ford wear a tie to dinner at Christmas.”

The memory switched her mood. “Yeah, that was funny,” she said and laughed. “I have never seen him so mad… in a situation that didn’t end in bloodshed.”

“I was in the car on speed dial. We were ready to take on him, his preppy son, and their posse.”

Sometimes her brother went looking for a fight. Jagger was always there, no questions asked. Their friendship was more like blood brothers than buddies.

“Ted doesn’t have a posse. I can’t believe he took you away from your holiday. That’s so rude!”

Sinking down on the bench, he laid his forearms on either side of the coffee cup. “Not much of a holiday person.”

He was right. It wasn’t good to admit it, but fuck, he’d been right. “Have I not been paying attention?” The question was so genuine, it seemed to startle him. “You said ‘maybe you weren’t paying attention’ the night you took me home.”

“I was just talking, kid.”

“I haven’t been a kid for a long time, Jagg,” she said, folding her arms under her breasts before leaning across the table, plumping them for his visual consumption. “I grew up.”

“I see that,” he said, admiring her cleavage just as she’d intended.

Sinking back, she supported her head on a hand. “You know I’m twenty-seven now. I’ve been legal for ten years.”

“Okay,” he said, scrubbing a hand across his forehead. “We’re not talking about this.”

“I don’t know why it makes you uncomfortable. Why is it suddenly such a big deal? I have sex. I like sex. I’m good at it too… certain things. I have boobs and a pussy and—”

“Im,” he said, opening a hand. “Don’t.”

“Okay,” she said on a sigh. “I just don’t get it.”

“You’re Ford’s kid sister.” Something she’d been her whole life. “You’re my best friend’s sister and… this isn’t on the table.”

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